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Apertura 2018 Week 3 Preview: Saturday’s Games

Necaxa vs Lobos BUAP – 6:00 PM – Univision Deportes
Necaxa (11th) fell 5-3 to Pumas UNAM last weekend to give them their first loss of the young season. The Rayos will look to get back on track when they return home for this one, and they did earn a 1-0 win against TM Fútbol Club in the Copa MX in midweek. Necaxa’s defense will need to be better, though; last week’s shellacking means the Rayos currently have the worst defensive record in the league.

As for Lobos BUAP (8th), the Licántropos beat Veracruz 2-0 last weekend to give them their first win of the season. Lobos are still winless on the road, though, and they’ll look to change that here. They’ll have the advantage of being better-rested than Necaxa, as Lobos did not have a midweek game. They’ve also scored in both their games to date and they’ll look to give Necaxa’s defense another difficult outing in this one.

Pachuca vs América – 8:00 PM – Univision
Pachuca (16th) fell 1-0 to Querétaro last weekend to give them back-to-back losses to start the season. It’s a different story for the Tuzos in the Copa MX, where they earned a 2-0 win against Santos in midweek to keep them perfect in that competition. Pachuca will look to carry that form over to league play as they return home in search of their first win in this one. The Tuzos have also failed to score in league play, and they’ll need to get off the mark sooner rather than later to avoid slipping further down the table.

As for América (6th), the Águilas beat Atlas 3-0 last weekend to give them their first win of the season. They followed that up with a 3-0 win against Veracruz in the Copa MX in midweek, and they’ll look to add to Pachuca’s woes with another victory in this one. América has yet to win on the road, though, and they’ll look to change that here.

Cruz Azul vs Tigres UANL – 10:00 PM – Univision
Cruz Azul (2nd) beat Chivas de Guadalajara 0-1 last weekend to remain perfect this season. Only goals scored is keeping La Máquina out of first place, and they’ll look for a big win here to move into the top spot in the table. They have yet to concede a goal in league play, where they’re tied for the best defensive record. They did give up two in the Copa MX in midweek, but they still pulled out a 2-3 win against Zacatepec.

As for Tigres UANL (4th), the universitarios beat Tijuana 1-0 last weekend to keep them perfect as well. Like Cruz Azul, Tigres have yet to concede a goal in league play. However, the universitarios had back-to-back home games to start the season and this will be their first away game. On the other hand, they’ll be more rested than their opponents as Tigres did not have a midweek game.

Monterrey vs Querétaro – 10:00 PM – Fox Deportes
Monterrey (3rd) beat León 0-2 last weekend to remain perfect this season. The Rayados also won in midweek, where they beat Puebla 2-1 in the Copa MX. Monterrey has yet to allow a goal in league play, and that record – and their perfect start to the season – is particularly impressive given that they’ve had back-to-back away games. This match will be the Rayados’ first at home and they’ll look to keep the winning streak alive here.

As for Querétaro (5th), the Gallos Blancos beat Pachuca 1-0 last weekend to give them their first win of the season. They’re unbeaten to date, and they’re one of four teams that has yet to concede a goal, but they’ve also had some trouble scoring with just one goal so far and none on the road. They were on the road in midweek in the Copa MX, where they suffered a 2-1 loss to León.